AUSTIN -- Forty years ago the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling in the case of Roe vs. Wade. The ruling confirmed that the right to privacy includes making your own personal medical decisions, including abortion.

However the fight over abortion rights continues. One of the biggest is playing out among state lawmakers.

Polls show most Americans still support the Supreme Court's ruling. According to a 2012 Gallup Poll, 77 percent think abortion should be legal in some or all circumstances. The battle at the Texas Capitol centers on just how far abortion rights should go.

Several bills have already been filed this legislative session designed to pass more stringent anti-abortion laws.

Governor Rick Perry supports tighter restrictions. He's pushing legislation dubbed The Fetal Pain Bill. Perry wants to ban abortions after 20 weeks of gestation based on the claim that a fetus can feel pain at that point. Currently states can only ban abortions after 24 weeks.

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.